U.S. says 84% of South Sudan girls over 15 are illiterate, calls for education funding

JUBA – The U.S. Embassy in Juba said nearly two-thirds of girls aged over 15 in South Sudan are illiterate, highlighting the need for increased government funding for girls’ education.

The statement, released Thursday ahead of Mother’s Day, comes as South Sudan grapples with ongoing challenges in education, particularly for girls.

“Unfortunately, in South Sudan, women and girls are disproportionately affected by the transitional government’s failure to fund basic education for girls,” the embassy said.

“Approximately 84 percent of girls over the age of 15 in South Sudan are illiterate,” the statement added.

The embassy urged the government to address issues hindering girls’ education, including early marriage and gender-based violence.

“Abhorrent practices—including early and forced marriage and gender-based violence—are often ignored by authorities and make an already-elusive dream of education harder to reach,” the statement said.

The U.S. acknowledged its support for the Girls’ Education South Sudan Programme alongside other donors but stressed the need for government action.

“While we join other donors in supporting education initiatives, we also call on the transitional government to promote strong families and a better future for all by funding girls’ education,” it said.

The statement emphasized the critical role of mothers in education, highlighting the positive impact of maternal education on child well-being and economic development.